Time seemed to be passing quickly, even for a healing person as me. The days passed by so slowly, yet slipping from my grasp before I had the time to hold on. I was surrounded by people that I cared most about. That's the only reason I even survived...

"Good morning." I heard Draco's thick, sleepy voice. Despite how groggy he always was when he woke up, he always managed to smile at me.

I yawned. "Morning." It was another day. I got up, grabbing my robes and took a long, hot shower. I brushed my teeth, my hair, and walked out of the room to go to classes. A few people still refused to believe that nothing was happening between Neville and me. I happened to manage pretty well for as long as I could. I knew that sooner or later I would burst.

Draco and I walked to Transfiguration together, getting many stares. 'Great; more rumors will start now,' I thought. As soon as I saw Ron, I took a seat next to him and Harry. Draco gave me a confused look while he sat with Blaise Zabini and Pansy Parkinson.

"Why'd you walk in with Malfoy?" Ron asked, whispered.

"Umm...just because...well, you know, Ron. We share a room...we just happened to be walking together. That's all," I babbled.

"I don't like the idea of you hanging out with him, Hermione. He's nothing but trouble," he sneered.

"Oh, come on, Ron. He's not all that bad once you get to know him, I guess."

He gaped at my words, his mouth forming an 'O'.

Harry saw my annoyed expression and jumped in. "I think it's a great idea," he chanted, smiling. "At least Hermione's making an effort to get along with Malfoy." I smiled at him, grateful he said that.

"Hermione, this is Malfoy we're talking about! How can you be on his side?" Ron asked.

"Ron! I'm not on anyone's side! Quit talking silly," I ordered.

"I'm sorry,'Mione. I...I'm just afraid that...well, nevermind," he stuttered.

"What is it, Ronald?"

"Nothing, nothing."

I felt something tap my back. I turned around to face Pansy Parkinson.

"What is it?" I asked, frustrated. I never did like Pansy, but she never liked me either.

"You're blocking my view. Well, actually, your big hair is," she glared, eying me cruelly. I wanted to slap her---and hard.

I managed to smile. "Oh, I'm sorry! You...you wanted to see the board, up there?" I pointed to the front of the room. "Because, Pansy. If I remember clear enough...I think you just enjoy checking out the hot guys up front, am I right?" I stated matter-of-factly. She stared wide-eyed at me. "Or, you know, I've also heard other things. About how you're hitting on them constantly, but they also seem to be busy just at the right time." I saw the whole class start to giggle under their breath, stifling laughs at how correct I was. Pansy looked down at her table, blushing with embarrassment. "Oh, and just so you know, my hair's not bushy like it used to be. So you can just swallow your pathetic so-called insults."

"At least I have taste in real guys!" she shot back. I had no idea what she was talking about. "I'm not the one crushing on gits such as Neville Longbottom!" I looked over at Neville sitting across the room. He looked like a tomato, blushing with so much embarrassment. I felt so terrible for him. I already knew what I had to do.

"NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM IS THE BEST GUY I'VE EVER MET! So what if we're not going out? He's still a GREAT person! Unlike you, Pansy! You use people---you're nothing but a slutty bitch!" I yelled straight to her face. I smiled at Neville, and to my surprise, he was already laughing at my comment.

I sat down, proud that I had stood up for my friend. The whole day went the same way as the others. People paraded me with questions as if I were some kind of celebrity. It was just as annoying as the first bloody day.

I was alone, making my way to the library. "That was quite brave of you, Hermione." I turned to see Draco giving me an approving look.

"I don't like it when people batter my friends. It's not nice, you know?" I turned back around, continuing my way on. He seemed to catch up easily. We made our way into the library. I honestly didn't know why he was staying with me. He hated books.

"Not to offend you or anything, Draco...but, seriously, why are you here? In a library?" I raised an eyebrow. He shrugged.

"I guess I just like spending time with you."

"Funny," I muttered.

"What's funny?"

"The fact that you say you like spending time with me. I can't imagine why."

"Why not? You're human just like everyone else...well, apart from the goblins and all that," he chuckled. "But you get what I mean."

I shook my head. "It doesn't make sense. What happened to...the rivalry between us? I mean, I know that's past us and all---it's just...sudden I suppose," I thought out loud.

"I don't know how to answer those questions either, Hermione. Things just...happen."

"Honestly, Ma---Draco. You don't have to do this to yourself." I felt my frustration building. Why was he doing this?

"Uhh, I don't think I know where you're going with this---"

"Why are you suddenly so interested in me?" I yelped. "I mean, I know...the tower and all...but just because that happened, you don't have to---pretend to like or get along with me! I can take it, really. I've gone through far worse, anyways."

He stared at me, shocked. "You...you think I'm pretending? Pretending to like you? Or spend time with you? Good God, Hermione!" he slightly shouted, instantly standing from his seat. I could tell he was frustrated---more than I was. This wasn't how I had planned it happening.

"I like spending time with you! I like just being in the same room with you! You're an extraordinary person, Hermione. And...what I can't figure out is why you're trying to push me away! Why are you doing that to me? Do you want me to disappear? Away from you?" I didn't have time to speak, he interrupted me too quickly by holding a hand up. "You know what? Just forget it. If you don't want me around, then I won't bother you anymore. I promise." Without saying anything else or letting me have my share in talking, he left the library, hurt and disappointed. Why would he possibly think that I don't enjoy my time with him? That wasn't the point intended. I simply asked out loud what he saw in me that would make him want to waste his time on me.

I was numb. I didn't know what to do. Should I just wait 'til things worked their way out? Disappointed, I shrunk into my seat, frozen and frustrated. I kept asking myself over and over, 'What do I do? What do I do? What do I do?'

I couldn't think clearly. Too many things were going through my head at the moment. I closed my eyes, and without thinking twice, flashbacks surrounded my mind.

It was Draco---he was comforting me. It was the night he read my diary. The diary I burned after he read it. He looked so concerned, so unhappy when he found out. Then the scene switched. It was the first time he had called me Hermione when I couldn't get my hoodie off---the night he helped me. The scene changed, yet again. It was the time I was about to cut myself, and he took the razor from my hand, not allowing me to cut myself. Then, there was one of the most recent times---I was thinking of committing suicide from falling. Falling off the highest tower of Hogwarts. But, no. I had told myself it wasn't a suicidal thing. Just some once-in-a-lifetime experience. Nothing more.

Shaking my head furiously, I knew what I had to do. I had come too far to simply lose him now...

I ran out of the library's huge wooden doors, scanning the corridors. "DRACO!" I didn't see him anywhere near. I kept running. "DRACO?!" I ran out of the corridors and onto the icy, snow-covered grass. I ran through trees and bushes of all kinds until I ended up at the lake. I kept yelling his name. "DRACO! Ugh, damn it. Draco, where are you?!" I screamed. He was no where to be found, and I was too late...

I moaned in agony at my stiff ribs as I trudged through little snow, making my way back into Hogwarts. "Draco, where the hell are you?" I whispered, mostly to myself. I was angry. Angry I had let him go; angry I had been so helpless, stupid; angry I let the best thing in my life walk out on me before my eyes...

Walking back onto campus grounds, I made my way onto the outside corridors, entering Hogwarts once again. The halls were still cool with brisk air, but it was better than the cold outside. Then, out of no where, I saw a pale figure far in front of me. It was him. I ran and ran and ran until I was up close. "DRACO!" I shouted again and again. I was finally out of breath; my running and shouting wearing me out. I looked like I would fall to pieces any second now. He turned around and saw me, but didn't say a word. He was still hooked on what happened in the library.

"Draco---I'm---I'm sorry," I panted, my hands resting on my knees. My stomach felt queasy and uneven, as if I were about to throw up. "Didn't---mean---to---let---you---go! I'm sorry, I'm sorry---damn it! I'M BLOODY SORRY!" I was going to faint---I knew it.

"Why did you do that to me?" he asked, his face expressionless.

"I...I don't know," I gasped. "I'm just---I'm really sorry, Draco. I never meant for you to...to get the wrong idea." I finally managed to regain my breath back. "I just didn't want you wasting your time with someone like me before you realized what a true monster I am. But even when you...read my diary, you were still there. It was like, despite everything, you were still there by my side. And I'm...I'm sorry for not noticing that earlier."

He showed no sign of accepting my apology, much less saying anything, so I decided I deserved what I got. Him ignoring me---well, I should have gotten much much worse. I turned around, sighing in defeat. I had lost; what a terrible person I was for letting him go.

I was less than halfway down the long hall when he caught my shoulder, spinning me around. He looked thoroughly, deeply into my eyes. I didn't know if I should say anything, because it didn't seem like he was going to talk.

He seemed to be examining my face. I was getting worried until I realized what he was doing: trying to figure me out. He searched for me. And even though he was looking into my eyes, he was actually looking through me; discovering me. It seemed like time has stopped while he was doing this; as if everything disappeared around us and we were the only two that existed.

He began by bringing his cool fingertips onto my pale, yet red cheek. He traced around my nose, the outline of my face, and then my lips. I was sure more than anything else that I was blushing scarlet. Then, out of no where, he planted a soft, warm kiss on my jaw, causing me to soften up. I closed my eyes. I felt like I was falling backwards; on top of cloud nine. The way he made me feel just then was indescribable; words could never express the feelings that jolted through my veins, hidden in my bones. It was almost too much for me to handle. Almost. And all of my reactions were a result of a simple kiss on the jaw.

Without saying anything else, he wrapped his arms around my waist, hugging me warmly. I felt so secure and safe in his strong steel-like arms. His muscles were thickly wrapped around his upper arms. Not bulky like a jock, but sleek like a swimmer.

I felt the best I had in a long time, until I heard someone ruin it all.

"Get off of her!" they yelled. I didn't bother to move from Draco, I simply turned around only using my head.

"Ron, please. He's not doing anything wrong." I glared at him, eying him evilly. Why did he have to tear apart this perfect moment?

"Hermione, what the hell are you doing with him?" he asked, pulling out his wand. As much as I didn't want to, I pulled away from Draco and walked over to Ron just a few feet away.
"Ron, it's n-o-t-h-i-n-g." I had to pronounce so it was get past his thick red hair. "Well, what I mean is, it's nothing to be worried about. He's harmless, trust me," I smiled.

"I don't like this, Hermione. I don't like you hanging out with him---or doing whatever the bloody hell you were just doing. I want you to stay away from him."

At this comment, I was mad. "RON! You do not control me! You can't tell me who and who not to hang out with. Ugh!" I trudged from Ron, speed-walking in Draco's direction. Without looking at him, I grabbed Draco and pulled him with me as I walked. "Come on, Draco. We're leaving!" I turned around to see a shocked Ron. I already saw the one question on his face: 'What just happened?'

"I really wish he's get over it," Draco moaned, annoyed. I felt the same exact way.

"Eh, he'll come around soon enough. Just gotta wait for that to happen, I guess," I shrugged.

"I don't think he'll ever accept...our friendship," he choked. I could tell he wasn't intending on saying friendship the first time around. I smiled to myself.

"I guess...I guess he's just like that," I muttered. He shook his head in disapproval.

"Don't you know why he acts like that around you, Hermione?" He raised an eyebrow. I knew what he was saying.

"Oh, come on! I know Ron's had a little crush on me ever since third year, but he's not totally serious. For all I've heard, he likes Lavender Brown."

"That doesn't mean he's not completely over you, though," he sneered in disgust. "The little weasel."

"Ugh," I winced at his words.

"Sorry, sorry," he murmured quickly. "Just because you like him doesn't mean I do, Hermione. But...I guess...I guess I could try...for you, you know."

"Thank you." I looked up at him, my eyes gleaming.

We continued walking until I saw Ginny running towards me. "Hermione!" she gasped.

"What is it, Gin?"

"It's Neville. He...he's upset. Very upset. I-I don't know bloody why, though..."

"Ginny?"

"Hmm?"

"What does this have anything to do with me?" I raised a brown eyebrow at her.

"Come with me," she commanded, taking my arm, forcing me to stumble along with her, leaving Draco Malfoy by himself. "What is it?!" I asked, frustrated.

"He's in there." Her head nodded to the common room. I said the Gryffindor password and entered without Ginny. The first thing I saw was Neville, sitting in front of the fire by himself. As Ginny had mentioned, he didn't look too pleased.

"Hey Neville," I chanted, trying my best to sound chirpy. He didn't reply. "Neville? Neville, what's wrong?" I asked, putting an arm on his shoulder.

"Oh, just stop it, Hermione!" he breathed, glaring at me. "How...how could you?"

I shook my head furiously. "Neville, what are you talking about?"

"I saw you with him, you know." I didn't know where this was going. Then I remembered what Ginny had told me before I fainted.

"And...I'm--oh," I muttered to myself. It all made sense. He saw Draco and me earlier and probably had his heart tattered into nothing but waste.

"How could you just...be...ugh, Hermione. At first, I thought you didn't know...my feelings for you. But I overheard you and Ginny talking. That's how I knew you didn't feel the same way. But, of course, that didn't change the way I felt about you. You were just...all over him, Hermione. I couldn't believe it. I don't even know what to do."

I didn't know how to comfort him. I was too speechless. "Neville...Neville, listen to me." It was always so easy to convince Neville. I was sure I would be out of this situation in no time.

"No! I know exactly where this is going! You're going to say something, trying to get me to understand, won't you?" Busted. "Well, it's not working this time. You have no idea how you made me feel this afternoon, Hermione. The worst I have ever felt in a long, long time. I guess you've proved Pansy's point then. After all, who'd want to go out with a guy like Neville Longbottom?" He got up, walking into the boys' dormitory and disappeared.

I had just lost a really great friend.